Saturday, October 30, 2010

Aesop on the Anglican Covenant

Apparently this really is one of Aesop's fables. It seems appropriate to our discussions of the Anglican Covenant. (h/t to Episcopal Chaplain at the Bedside, who was on about something else entirely.)

The Frogs Desired a King

The Frogs were living as happy as could be in a marshy swamp that just suited them; they went splashing about caring for nobody and nobody troubling with them. But some of them thought that this was not right, that they should have a king and a proper constitution, so they determined to send up a petition to Jove to give them what they wanted.

"Mighty Jove," they cried, "send unto us a king that will rule over us and keep us in order."

Jove laughed at their croaking, and threw down into the swamp a huge Log, which came down - splash - to the swamp.

The Frogs were frightened out of their lives by the commotion made in their midst, and all rushed to the bank to look at the horrible monster; but after a time, seeing that it did not move, one or two of the boldest of them ventured out towards the Log, and even dared to touch it; still it did not move. Then the greatest hero of the Frogs jumped upon the Log and commenced dancing up and down upon it, thereupon all the Frogs came and did the same; and for some time the Frogs went about their business every day without taking the slightest notice of their new King Log lying in their midst.

But this did not suit them, so they sent another petition to Jove, and said to him, "We want a real king; one that will really rule over us." Now this made Jove angry, so he sent among them a big Stork that soon set to work gobbling them all up. Then the Frogs repented when too late.

Better no rule than cruel rule.


I'm sure I don't need to draw a diagram here, except to note that the picture on the right suggests that some of the frogs will resist.

7 comments:

Ann said...

Love this one -- it could be illustrated with new names - like Covenant and no Covenant

June Butler said...

Excellent, Malcolm. Count me amongst the resisting frogs. And this frog never asked for a king.

Marshall Scott said...

I do think it is apt for consideration of the Anglican Covenant, even though my topic was different (though not, perhaps, unrelated).

Chelliah Laity said...

Aesop was a slave-not allowed to disagree with his masters. How apt.

Anonymous said...

You realize that the fundiegelicals think precisely of you what you think of them?
And this doesn't bother you?
No sense of irony?

Malcolm+ said...

@Chelliah - not quite sure of your point.

@Anonymous - The fundegelicals are welcome to think whatever nasty thoughts of me they may wish. However, I am not imposing a centralizing curia on them. The fundagelicals are entitled to their own opinions. They are not entitled to their own facts.

Chelliah Laity said...

@Massing Priest
I ought to have made myself clear. I meant that the Anglican Covenant will not allow for dissent nor debate and, instead, will seek to impose uniform conformity on the Anglican community.